Newcastle definitely have reason to celebrate, or at least look slightly more optimistic about life, as legendary Alan Shearer has agreed to take the struggling team under his wing, until the end of the season.
 
United, cemented in the relegation zone having accumulated just 29 points from 30 outings, and are one point behind 17^th placed Blackburn Rovers. Newcastle have enough time to get their act together and avoid relegation, but it will have to begin here and now, and what better opportunity to set them on a good frame of mind than managing a result against Chelsea.
 
Chelsea meanwhile are third in the league, with 61 points, three behind Liverpool and four behind leaders United, though United have a game in hand.
 
Chelsea, for the first time under new Dutch manager Guus Hiddink, spilled vital points and as a result are trailing behind Liverpool after conceding a defeat to local rivals Tottenham a fortnight ago. Should Newcastle accomplish an unlikely victory over Chelsea this Saturday, this would be the Londoners’ first back-to-back defeats in 106 Premier League outings, which is three years ago.
 
Chelsea won this corresponding fixture 0-2 in May last year to ensure the title race with Manchester United was taken to the last match of the season.
 
Meanwhile new Newcastle United manager Alan Shearer has insisted to the club's website that he is not for the moment considering a long term engagement with the club, rather only until the end of the season which Shearer hopes will be sufficient enough to stabilise the club’s situation and keep them safe from relegation.
 
Shearer told the BBC's Football Focus show:  "I know what I'm doing next season. I'm here (Newcastle) for eight games only."
 
The former England international and Toon legend said:  "My aim is to be offered the job at the end of the season because if I am that means I would have kept Newcastle in the Premier League."